Today in Soap Opera History (August 9)

1935: Future daytime legend Beverlee McKinsey was born. McKinsey was best known for her roles as Iris in ANOTHER WORLD and its spinoff, TEXAS, and Alexandra on GUIDING LIGHT. She passed away in 2008 at age 72.

Before playing Iris on ANOTHER WORLD, McKinsey briefly played Emma Ordway on the show. Two years earlier she starred as Julie in LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING. Check out an episode from August 1970 below which also featured McKinsey and her future husband Berkeley Harris, who played Jim.

1938: Actor Clint Ritchie, who starred for many years as Clint Buchanan on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, was born. He died in 2009 at age 70.

1966: On DARK SHADOWS, to protect David, Elizabeth lied to Constable Carter when she told him they had discovered the bleeder valve fell off by itself.

1993: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Bo (Robert Kelker Kelly) had memories of Carly (Crystal Chappell).

1994: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, at Rodi's bar, Todd (Roger Howarth) met Blair (Kassie DePaiva) for the first time.

1996: On ANOTHER WORLD, Michael (Kale Browne) recruited a construction guy, Bobby Reno (Robert Kelker-Kelly), to do work on Vicky's house. Vicky fainted when she met Bobby. This was Kelker-Kelly's first appearance on ANOTHER WORLD since May 15, 1990, when he finished a three-year run as Sam Fowler.

2011: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Will (Chandler Massey) and Gabi (Camila Banus) professed their love and went to a hotel room, where they had sex for the first time.

2012: Actor Al Freeman Jr., who played Ed Hall in ONE LIFE TO LIVE for many years, died at age 78. Freeman's longtime OLTL co-star was one of the speakers at a Howard University tribute to the actor last fall.

7 comments:

What a walk through history! I loved Dark Shadows, and when 18 in the summer of 1972, my neighbor/producer Joseph Rothenberger took pity on my unemployed status and gave me a one-day walk on role on ANOTHER WORLD. I still have the paystub and script! Behind the scenes was fabulous.

I'll be honest, I only came to OLTL in the last few years (about 2+ years at the end of its network run, and now online) but that speech moved me.Due to my theater background, I knew a bit more about Al Freeman Jr. (I remember seeing Spike Lee's Malcolm X in the movie theater) but it was only due to blogs like WLS that I learned more about Ellen Holly.I know Ms. Holly is a bit controversial for her outspoken nature but I'm going to be honest--that lady has a dynamic presence! Her gift for oratory and fiery aura really makes me wish that some (re)conciliation can be made between her & the folks at OLTL so that perhaps she can put in an appearance as Jeffrey's grandmother, perhaps?It would be another strong anchor to OLTL's groundbreaking history, which I actually think the show needs right now (although I think the show has been gradually becoming more cohesive).C'mon, Roger you've got clout...how can we make that happen? ;)

Ellen Holly is not only a talented actress, but a beautiful human being with a brilliant mind. Because of the history with OLTL, I'm not sure they would make a place for her. But I agree that it would add SO much depth to the show.